Related Stories

A Calgary woman who had 89 cats seized from her West Hillhurst home has been ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and is banned from owning more than two cats for the rest of her life.

Ruth Sogz pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Protection Act and was sentenced on Friday, according to the Calgary Humane Society, whose peace officers inspected the home and removed the cats last year.

Most of the animals had to be euthanized due to health issues, but several dozen were rehabilitated and adopted.

The humane society described the case as an "animal hoarding situation."

As part of her sentence, Sogz is banned from owning any animals except for a maximum of two cats that must be spayed or neutered.

She will also be required to provide annual veterinary reports on the cats and submit to mandatory welfare checks on the animals.

"It is encouraging to see the court apply a lifetime prohibition in this case, given the level and volume of suffering in the home," ​Brad Nichols, the human society's senior manager of animal cruelty investigations, said in a release.

"Not long ago, such a ban was unheard of. It is crucial that animal breeders and fanciers remain aware of their capacity for care so cases of overt neglect like this one can be avoided."